TUV Rheinland PTL has won a two-phase, 16-month photovoltaic module testing and analysis contract with Sandia National Laboratories.
Through the contract, TUV Rheinland PTL becomes an industry partner, learning and sharing Sandia's method for photovoltaic testing and analysis.
Sandia is one of two US Department of Energy laboratories involved in photovoltaic research and development.
Over an 11-year period, Sandia developed a test method called the Sandia Photovoltaic Array Performance Model.
Because of its high level of accuracy and quality, the Sandia model is sought after by PV manufacturers and system integrators alike.
The contract provides Sandia a third-party, commercial resource to carry out its proprietary PV testing method.
Once trained in this method, TUV Rheinland PTL will provide commercial testing services using the Sandia method and maintain a web-based public database from which the industry will benefit.
The Sandia contract will be implemented in two phases.
In phase one, TUV Rheinland PTL will develop and improve photovoltaic module testing and analysis capabilities according to the Sandia Photovoltaic Array Performance Model.
This will involve a build-up of its hardware and software, employee training, and documentation of quality standards.
Phase two will include a test and analysis of commercially available modules according to the Sandia model and a standardised report on each for entry into a database.
The contract is scheduled to run through to September 2010.
